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7:00 AM – Registration/Packet Pickup opens on Pennsylvania Ave. 8:10 AM – Race Warm Up on Stage 8:20 AM – Opening Ceremony 8:45 AM – Survivor Tribute at Pennsylvania Avenue 9:00 AM – 5K Start 10:00 AM – Running Awards 10:15 AM – Kids Fun Run
The brain tumor community will come together on May 3, 2026, in the nation’s capital for a 5K walk/run to raise awareness and funds to help fund cutting-edge brain tumor research and improve quality of life. The Race for Hope DC is a family-friendly event for all ages! Join us for a morning of celebration, remembrance and hope. Your community is here. Let’s discover a cure, together.
In-person participation options include an event t-shirt if you register prior to April 9, 2026. Event t-shirts are not guaranteed to late registrants. Registration fees will increase 60 days out and again on event week. Timed runner registration will close at 3pm on Wednesday, April 29.
Event Week Registration Fees:
AdultWalker – $50
Youth Walker (12 and under) – $10
Timed Runner – CLOSED
Youth Timed Runner – CLOSED
Volunteer – CLOSED
Virtual Participant:CLOSED FREE registration for those who are unable to attend the event in person. Event t-shirts will be mailed to all virtual participants who raise $75 or more by April 3, 2026. T-shirts will arrive to you by event day. Late registrants will not qualify for an event t-shirt.
Plan your day:
Event Schedule
7:00 AM – Registration/Packet Pickup opens on Pennsylvania Avenue 8:10 AM – Race Warm Up on Stage 8:20 AM – Opening Ceremony: Speakers,Rachel Rabinovitz Impact Award and Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg Triumph of the Spirit Award presentations, fundraising award winners 8:45 AM – Survivor Tribute at Pennsylvania Avenue 9:00 AM – 5K Start 10:00 AM – Running Awards 10:15 AM – Kids Fun Run
For the walk/run, participants have the choice to run the 5K as a timed participant, untimed runner, or walk at your own pace. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome, but please leave your furry friends at home. Service animals are allowed. For the little ones, we will have a Kids Fun Run after the 5K (75 yard dash) where all participants will receive a medal. (Please be sure to register all children for the main event who wish to participate. There is not a separate Fun Run registration.) Water will be available at the halfway point of the 5K and at Freedom Plaza, along with ice cream and light snacks.
The event is rain or shine!
Site Map: NOTE: Freedom Plaza is currently under renovation, so the event layout is a bit different this year.
Registration and T-Shirt Pickup: On the 14th Street side Pennsylvania Ave across from the Wilson Building.
Wall of Hope: In Moynihan Plaza at the intersection of 13th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.
NBTS booth, Event Sponsors and Gear Check: In Moynihan Plaza at 13th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.
Main Stage: Intersection of 13th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.
Survivor Tent: Survivors can meet in the tent on Pennsylvania Ave. near 13th street
Refreshments: Water, snacks and ice cream will all be available on Pennsylvania Ave
5K Course Map Parking & Metro: For event parking, we suggest using SpotHero to view and secure a spot ahead of time. The closest Metro stations are Federal Triangle and Metro Center. Plan your trip.
Event participants and teams are invited to pick up your race shirts and timed runner bibs in advance of event day. Let us know when you plan to come to packet pickup by adding yourself to this SIGN UP SHEET.
Packet Pickup Locations:
Thursday, April 30 – 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Potomac, MD Julia Bindeman Suburban Center 11810 Falls Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
Friday, May 1 – 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Falls Church, VA Road Runner Sports 1120 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
Saturday, May 2 – 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Washington, DC Washington Marriott at Metro Center Tokyo Room – Ballroom Level 775 12th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
If you are a team captain picking up for your entire team, please let your team know so they do not come on their own. We strongly recommend team captains to pick up their entire team’s packets.
On the spreadsheet, you add yourself or your team name and choose your day and time.
If you need to change your day and time of pickup, that’s fine, no need to update the spreadsheet or contact us. Come whenever!
The Wall of Hope is a tribute displayed on Freedom Plaza on event day. You are invited to contribute a photo of your loved one you participate for. We honor brain tumor survivors and those we’ve sadly lost. Information on how to submit your photo is below.
Wall of Hope photo submission guidelines:
Submissions for the Wall of Hope are now CLOSED. If you missed the deadline, please bring the photo of your loved one with you to the event and we will have materials available for you to include your photo on the wall.
Deadline for submissions is April 19, 2026
One Wall of Hope entry allowed per honoree
Photo/collage size cannot exceed 8″X10″ when printed
Name your file with the name of the person in the photo
Please email submissions to RaceDC@curebraintumors.org with Wall of Hope as your email subject line. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours.
If you would like us to use a submission from the 2025 Wall of Hope, please email racedc@curebraintumors.org with your name and the name of your honoree and we will check for your entry.
Fundraising for the brain tumor community takes real commitment to our cause, so we want to celebrate your successes.
Commemorative Tee
Our NBTS Accelerator Club will recognize event participants like you driving brain tumor breakthroughs forward through your fundraising efforts. The more you raise, the more additional prizes you can earn. By raising $250 or more on your personal fundraising page by event day, you will become part of the NBTS Accelerator Club.
$250 – Accelerator: By raising $250 or more on your personal fundraising page by event day, you will become part of the NBTS Accelerator Club and receive exclusive benefits, including:
2026 Accelerator Pin. Wear it at your event to raise awareness and share pride in your fundraising efforts
Recognition at registration and packet pickup
A Digital Accelerator Badge on your personal fundraising page
NEW! Raise $250 by April 21 to earn this Accelerator Club tee on event day!
$5,000 – Changemaker In addition to the Accelerator Club benefits, you will also receive:
Changemaker lanyard
Verbal recognition at the event by the event emcee
Changemakers will be highlighted on social media
$10,000 – Groundbreaker In addition to the Accelerator Club Benefits, you will also receive:
Groundbreakers will be recognized on stage at your event!
Groundbreaker medal
Groundbreakers will be highlighted on social media
Additional Individual Fundraising Prizes: Achieve one of the milestones listed below by May 31st and your prize will be mailed directly to your home post-event.
Raise $500-$999 on your personal fundraising page to earn a NBTS picnic/beach blanket
Raise $1,000 – $4,999 on your personal fundraising page to earn a NBTS cooler tote bag
Raise $5,000-$9,999 on your personal fundraising page to earn a NBTS windbreaker with hood
Raise $10,000+ on your personal fundraising page to earn ALL THREE PRIZES!
Team Fundraising Prize:
All teams who raise $5000 or more by April 26, 2026, will earn a team highlight slide on the Jumbotron!
Fundraising Resources & Help Desk:
National Brain Tumor Society wants to make sure you are successful in your fundraising efforts. Equip yourself with these curated fundraising resources to maximize your impact.
Download our Good Move Fundraising app! Fundraising and communicating with your network is now easier than ever with our new mobile app available on the Apple or Google Play Store. You will also receive an email after you register with more information and a direct link to get started in the app! Watch this video tutorial for a quick walkthrough of the app.
Fundraise on Facebook: Connect your NBTS fundraising page directly to your Facebook profile and solicit donations from your online community! PDF Instructions | Video How To
The third time’s the charm. It often takes 3 requests for your friends and family to remember to donate. Ask, ask and ask one more time.
Share the impact of donations to the National Brain Tumor Society.
Download our Good Move Fundraising app! Fundraising and communicating with your network is now easier than ever with our new mobile app available on the Apple or Google Play Store. You will also receive an email after you register with more information and a direct link to get started in the app!
Share your WHY on social media to encourage friends and followers to join your team or donate to your Race for Hope DC fundraising efforts.
Don’t forget to include a link to your personal fundraising page in each post.
Start early and repost often as the Race for Hope DC draws closer to help keep it top of mind for your followers.
Tag those who donate and give them a big shout out on your social media page to thank them for donating.
Watch this quick video on how to directly connect your fundraising page directly to your Facebook, making it even easier to use the Facebook fundraising tools.
Sample Social Media Posts:
Team Captain: I’m leading team <TEAM NAME> in the 2026 Race for Hope DC, with a goal of raising $X,XXX for the National Brain Tumor Society. Will you support my fundraising efforts by making a donation today? Every dollar raised helps NBTS provide patients with brain tumors and their caregivers a better chance. Donate online at my personal fundraising link: <INSERT LINK>. Thank you for your support!
Team Member / Individual Participant:I’ve set a goal of raising $X,XXX for the National Brain Tumor Society as a participant in the 2026 Race for Hope DC. Will you support my fundraising efforts by making a donation today? Every dollar raised helps NBTS provide patients with brain tumors and their caregivers a better chance. Donate online at my personal fundraising link: <INSERT LINK>. Thank you for your support!
Personal Story – Sharing your WHY:I’ve set a goal of raising $X,XXX for the National Brain Tumor Society as a participant in the 2026 Race for Hope DC. This cause is personal to me because <insert personal story here>. It would mean so much if you could support my fundraising efforts by making a donation today. <INSERT LINK>. Thank you for your support!
Head to the Hill is NBTS’s signature advocacy event. From May 3-5, 2026, hundreds of volunteers will convene in Washington, D.C., to share their experiences with Congress and connect with the brain tumor community from across the country. Join us!
As an event sponsor, your organization will connect with the brain tumor community on a platform that will enable meaningful and enduring impact for both your brand and our mission. Sponsorship will allow your organization to make a difference in the lives of millions.
